Private On-Site Wastewater - Saraniecki Flashcards
What is Biological Oxygen Demand?
BOD
the difference between initial dissolved O2 and a later period of time O2 sample
usually 5 days BOD5
What is Chemical oxygen demand?
COD
a measure of the amount of O2 consumed chemically by oxidation of organic and inorganic materials in water
Define domestic sewage
used water from a home or community - includes bath, toilet, laundry, kitchen
What is black water?
from WC, lavatory, privy
What is grey water?
all other domestic wastewater - shower, laundyr, bath - considered pathogenic
define point source pollution
any discernible, confined, or discrete conveyance from which pollutants may be discharged
pipe, ditch, well, vessel, vehicle
define nonpoint pollution
not a point source
is manmade/man-induced resulting in the alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, or radiological integrity of water
What is combined sewer?
storm water and domestic sewage combined in same pipe
What is a separate sewer system?
storm water and domestic sewage are collected separately
What are suspended solids?
solids that are visible and in suspension in water
What does the inlet baffle of a septic tank do?
directs the flow
minimizes turbulence
minimizes short circuiting
What does the outlet baffle of a septic tank do?
assures outflow comes from clear zone
holds floating scum in tank
What is the inlet and outlet baffle elevation differential?
3 inches
What do effluent screens do?
designed to keep larger suspended solids in the tank
control outflow rate
protect downstream components from larger suspended solids
replace outlet baffle typically
require riser to grade for access to screen for inspection, cleaning, replacement
What is the ultimate purpose of a septic tank?
24-72 hour watertight detention tank
conditions sewage to be more readily percolated into subsoil
What are the three main functions of a septic tank?
removal of solids
biological treatment
sludge and scum storage
What anaerobic digestion occurs and where does this occur in a septic system?
operates in anoxic environment
treats sewage
very slow process
happens in septic tank
Describe aerobic digestion and where does it occur?
treats sewage
rapid treatment proces
produces lowest suspended solid effluent
ex: aerobic treatment plant
What is generally considered in the system design of a septic system?
(5)
flow
waste strength
soil permeability - perc tests and soils investigations
limiting layer - high water table, bedrock
site geography - slope, lot size, etc
What is typical waste strength for residential aka domestic waste?
BOD5 and TSS ~200-300 ppm
ammonia ~60ppm
Describe a general percolation test method
6 steps
- dig 1x1 hole 24-30” deep
drop 2” gravel at bottom of hole
saturate hole 4 hours, let swell overnight
slowly pour 12” water
measure rate water drops every minute for fast soils
test is complete when 3 rate measurements at 6”-5” level become relatively equal
What unit do you calculate perc rate in?
minutes per inch
needs at least 3 tests for average
What is infiltration defined as?
movement of water into soil
What is percolation defined as
movement of water within soil matrix
What does perc rate control?
infiltration rate
What are the four soil sizes and types?
gavel - >2mm grain
sand 2mm>0.05
silt 0.25mm>0.002
clay less than 0.002mm
What is loam soil?
contains sand, silt, and clay in many different proportions
What type of soil typically drains well?
Sandy soil with some gravel